Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price makes a save on Pittsburgh Penguins' Ryan Bayda during the first period of NHL preseason hockey play in Montreal September 21, 2009.SHAUN BEST
Summing up the new-found spirit of cheekiness on the Montreal Canadiens, fourth-line grinder Glen Metropolit this week grabbed some white hockey tape and fashioned a "C" for his jersey.
It was his tongue-in-cheek answer to weeks of speculation; it's also the closest the Habs will come to having a captain for the foreseeable future.
For the first time since the team's founding in 1909, the Canadiens enter a season sans team captain.
"The feeling was, being new to the organization … it was wise to give us some time to evaluate the people have in hand. We feel that we have several individuals who bring leadership," said coach Jacques Martin, adding "the fact that we're not announcing a captain is in no way a reflection that we're not happy with what we have as leaders, we feel we have several qualified individuals that could be captain."
The question of who would succeed Saku Koivu and become the 28th captain in franchise history has been a topic of considerable conjecture in Quebec.
Would it be defenceman Andrei Markov? A new arrival like Scott Gomez? Or the most recent oddsmakers' favourite, Brian Gionta?
In the end, Martin opted to hand out A's at a team gathering last night to Markov, Gionta, and defenceman Hal Gill, but there will be no first among equals for now.
And that's just fine with the players.
"We've only been together for two weeks. We have so many new faces, new coaches, there's no rush to put a C on anyone's jersey. … I think we have several leaders on this team," said defenceman Josh Gorges, who was captain of his junior team in Kelowna, B.C.
Gionta told reporters at a team retreat in Caledon, Ont., that "it's one of those things that's been hanging over the team's head, this way it's defined, it's set up and we go from there."
Added fellow free-agent arrival Hal Gill: "We have a lot of leaders, and to pick one right now would be a disservice to the team."
And if the decision rankles bah-humbug traditionalists, not all Habs icons feel that way.
"It's an important tradition, but quite honestly, I don't think it makes you win hockey games," Canadiens legend - and former captain - Henri Richard said in a recent interview.
The captaincy was only one of the compelling storylines in Montreal yesterday. Winger Sergei Kostitsyn was suspended for refusing to report to the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs. He has demanded a trade.
"I'm disappointed, at the same time it's his prerogative," Martin said.
The new Habs head man said he feels no urgency to appoint a captain, and said "it is something I will revisit from time to time."
In Toronto, another team that has opted not to name a captain, the last man widely thought to be in line for the C, new Maple Leaf defenceman Mike Komisarek, will begin the season with an A on his shoulder.
Yesterday the San Jose Sharks announced Rob Blake as their captain, following the elevation of Colorado's Adam Foote and Florida's Bryan McCabe in recent days.
The Ottawa Senators' Daniel Alfredsson, who was appointed under Martin in 1999, is now the NHL's longest-serving captain.
TRAINING CAMP NEWS
This year is best described as the Habs' hello-my-name-is camp, what with seven new players, led by Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri joining the team and 10 veterans from last year cut loose. The only minor surprise is that winger Sergei Kostitsyn was cut in training camp. After last year's tailspin and subsequent roster overhaul, the Habs' ever-demanding fans will be in full voice if the team starts slowly.
SALARY CAP NUMBER
$56.2-million (U.S.)
BREAKOUT PLAYER
Winger Max Pacioretty. The 20-year-old budding power forward is looking to establish himself as a bona fide NHLer. Should happen this year.
CRASH-AND-BURN PLAYER
Take your pick: could be second-line centre Tomas Plekanec, or wingers Guillaume Latendresse or Matt D'Agostini, or goalie Carey Price, if the sophomore jinx stretches into this fall.
WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS IF…
Price can rebound from a terrible second half last season. The Canadiens also need to avoid last year's injury bug. But given coach Jacques Martin's defensive-mindedness, their firepower up front, bolstered power play (through the arrival of Jaroslav Spacek) and more experienced, bigger defence, they should comfortably be a top-eight team in the conference.